ZIM Hip-hop- ascending the steep step of self emancipation

In as much as Zimbabwean hip- hop music is trying to find its footing in a hostile and competitive music scenario, it has often shot itself in the foot by being largely imitative of Western styles. To give an example, there is not much hype on the hip-hop scenario to even distinguish it as a brand in Zimbabwe as much as sungura, urban grooves and sungura has over the years. Hip-hop artists are largely perceived as either urban groovers or dancehall artist mainly because they haven't done much marketing in terms of selling their style to the audience.

The artists themselves cannot be blamed, but then again nobody is willing to take the fall for the seeming nonexistence of hip-hop. Firstly, radio stations cannot play music that does not have a market, which brings to the fore the record labels. They,in turn, cannot record an artist whose music won't benefit them turning the whole situation full swing, back to the artist.

The question then is what can the artists do? The answer is simple, they must do what they do best, firstly. With a quality product that is uniquely Zimbabwean, in style and lyrical content, there should arise an audience that is willing to listen. Gigs, hip-hoppers will argue, are not easy to come by for them more than it is for dancehall. It is so, the only difference is that dancehall artists have worked their butts off to establish their kind of music as a saleable nontraditional variety of music that is unique to Zimbabwe, and receptable to all age groups. Their topics are wide, from love to social commentary, and are not limited to sex and gangster violence; which are virtually nonexistent in Zimbabwean society.

Moreover, hoppers should come together and unite for their cause, which means no one act must try and do their own gig because only a small group of their fans will come; but the more there is to offer, the more people will come. First, hip-hop artists need to become groupies, be visible on social media, make music that is relevant to our society, make relevant videos to compliment their music and make personal sacrifices for the benefit of the whole genre. Major Playas and Stunner have been around for as long as Winky D has, but the latter's popularity far outweighs that of the former combined. Stunner's killer performance at Big Brother should have been used to shift the limelight towards hip-hop. Videos should portray and embrace our uniqueness as Zimbabweans. Hip-hoppers should embrace being from Mbare, Mkoba, Mucheke, Makokoba and every other so-called ghetto. That; and their passion and dedication, is the key to success.

Help Us, We are Poor.

South Africans are very interesting people, for one they can trash a multi million rand infrastructure just to demonstrate their discontent over a small issue like potholes. but that does not make them interesting; neither does their beer drinking and love for their braai vleis and passionate interest for sports, politics and social issues affecting their lives.

I will show that they are interesting and loving despite their phobia for those of different ethnicity. for instances, they do not appreciate the contribution that Zimbabweans are playing in building their society by helping through providing a cheap labor force, partly attributed to the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Its not however fair to generalise everybody as they have done with most Zimbabweans, because there is always those two or three people willing to let their children marry Zimbabweans.

The society that we live in is not that accomodating regardless of where in the world you are. However, South Africa is different in that besides the xenophobia, they also have the problem of crime. Zimbabweans, unfortunately have been accussed of contributing to the high increase of crime instances over the past few years. On the other hand the justice system has not fully come to the party; despite efforts by the police to try and curb crime, the justice department has repeatedly sent out the message that if you are a high ranking member of society or a politician, you can get off the hook easily.

This does not set a good example for the masses in general. They aspire to be like their heroes; rich, famous and untouchable. Perhaps thats where the whole problem emanates. This is just an introduction of my intention to show the bottom line of the society that we live in. We are foreign, domestic but bound by one thing: poverty!